Day 1 - Travel via short sea crossing to Calais and drive to Brussels, Gent or Leuven, where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the area or to just relax in your overnight hotel.
Day 2 - Dinant & the
Ardennes
Depart after breakfast and drive into the picturesque countryside
of the Ardennes. Stop in charming Dinant, beautifully situated on the River
Meuse. Dominating the town is the mighty citadel, built in the 11th century
to overlook and control the Meuse valley. Another must see is the bronze onion
domed cathedral of Notre Dame, built as a Romanesque church at the end of the
12th century. Continue the pretty journey to Bouillon where you will check
in late afternoon.
Day 3 - Reims & Champagne
Drive across the border to the
rolling hills of the French Champagne region today. The landscape of vineyards
just south of Reims will instantly cast a spell over its visitors. However,
to get to know the famous wine better you have to visit the growers; so we
have included a visit to a local champagne cellar where you will enjoy a tasting.
The region’s capital,
Reims is famous for coronations of French monarchs in its ancient cathedral.
It’s a bustling and attractive city, renowned for its gothic architecture,
especially its churches whose spires dot the skyline.
Day 4 - Bouillon & the
Semois Valley
Today you will stay in the local area discovering the Luxembourg
province of the Ardennes. Drive along the road that follows the route of the
River Semois, taking in wild views of the wooded hills, which launch up from
the winding riverside and reach back into the distance as far as the eye can
see. Stop at Allé to take photographs of the scenery
and then continue until Vresse where you can cross the river and stop a while
at a café on the riverside and enjoy the atmosphere in this hidden countryside.
Take the coach back to Bouillon, (perhaps via Botassart for a photo stop) where
we have included entry to the castle that overlooks the pretty town and Semois
Valley beyond. Discover this feudal castle but also ensure you see the bird
of prey show within the grounds. There is also a museum and a café on
site. The rest of the day is at leisure to wander the town, do some shopping
or stop a while in one of the many teashops located on the riverside.
Day 5
- Luxembourg & Trier
Drive into Germany this morning to the beautiful
town of Trier, located on the Moselle. Famous for the monument of the Porta
Nigra, the town also boasts many beautiful old buildings, so quaint and brightly
coloured that some areas look like a set from a fairy tale. We have included
a tasting of some Moselle wine before you drive the short distance to the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg. Located between the countries of Belgium, France and Germany,
the city of Luxembourg belongs to a landlocked independent sovereign state
of the same name. The city boasts an old town, low town (down in the valley),
government district, large city gardens and a fortress ruin. The Semois cuts
a deep valley through the tiny centre; high bridges cross the river to connect
different districts and steep paths lead between the high and low quarters.
The centre is easily discovered on foot, where you will find that the cobbled
squares, quaint churches and austere statues sit quite happily next to the
modern designer shops and chic boutiques.
Day 6 - Depart Bouillon and drive to Calais to pick up your short sea crossing to the UK.